California State Fair 2014

Oscar and I will be competing at the State Fair again this year. If all goes right; we will be bringing home that Golden Bear! Stay tuned for the results, the secret ingredients and what we made for our dishes...

Almost Like Mama's

I would walk in the house after a long day at school. Mom would greet me with open arms and a big hug. She would ask me how my day was; and truly pay attention. I would shake my backpack off of my shoulders and on one side of my 11 year old brain, I would wonder how much play time I could squeeze in before Mom made me do my homework; and on the other side of my brain wonder when I could eat what I had smelled when I walked in. That smell was amazing and there was nothing like it...fresh baked bread! Are you kidding me right now? Who doesn't love bread in general?!?! But to then have it be warm, out of the oven...just waiting for that pat of butter and to be devoured. There was nothing like it!

This was my very first crack at home made bread. Although it isn't Mama's...it turned out very good. My favorite thing about it is that I can actually pronounce all of the ingredients...and there aren't 400 of them! None of the ingredients are banned in other countries or full of pesticides...and none of them are cancer causing. Yes..it did take a lot of time to mix the dough, let it proof...punch it down...let it rise...punch it down...form it...let it rise and then bake it. But...I will trade all of that prep time and wait, just to be satisfied in knowing that I am getting something healthy...and the family is getting something that I made with love.

I urge everyone out there to get back to basics and make your meals from the ground up...from scratch. Don't use ingredients you can't pronounce. There isn't a need for artificial flavors and colors and sweeteners. Just make it from natural and seasonal ingredients...make it from your heart; and I guarantee it will translate into the finished product. People will taste the difference. People will love it and you will be a star!!!!

I'm Baaaack!!!!

After a long hiatus...I am finally back to the blogosphere!!!! Stand by for new recipes and info from yours truly...